Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-04-02

This horSe in which the head of the nation
lives is unlike any other house in another
respect. The tide of humanity that rolls into
the door. but by a window The double doors
under the big porch are kept closed. This is
necessary in order to have place for the
marine band in the hall. A bridge reaches
from one Of the windows in the office hall.
over the basement area, to the walk Over
this is stretched an awning which extends
also some distance along the walk On rainy
nights this Is something Of a CONVENIENCE
not 10 shelter al who come, for it could cover
not fifty Of the 10000 people who some
times press into the White House at
. single reception, but il serves 10
give people little chance TO get
less wet than they would he just before
entering. The crowd begins 10 gather early.
Sometimes long string of early birds lines
the curvins sidewalk that leads 70 the White
House porch First come first served is here,
as elsewhere, the great American precept.
At O'Clock there are usually enough on
hand TO satisfy any ordinary host BY 4
O'Clock the Marine band, resplendent in red
flannel and brass buttons, marches in. These
brilliantly uniformed fellows are all enlisted
men, who get SCI n month. The leader,
Sousa, also an enlisted man, gets $40 month.
This famous band first performed at the
White House on New Years day, lS222a and
has made music at every great entertainment,
levee, reception, funeral or parade held at the
capital since il was organized Its origin was
a funny one. Some of our slips, cruising in
the Mediterranean in the early years of this
century, picked up a lot of Italians who were
playing on the streets of little SeaCoast
town They were kept on shipboard for their
music, and un reaching this country were sent
TO the capital to play at parties and balls
This little handful of Italians was the nucleus
of the Marine band Some of the descend
ants Of these musicians are now among the
wealthiest professional and business men at
the capital The members of the hand live
in the Marine barracks, are allowed 10 marry
keep shops and stores and play al the theatres
and at private parties, when not required for
official occasions The band always plays as
. presidential reception the original state
tune of Hail Columbia" i" the music Of which
was written i'll Washington's first term by
Pfyles, the leader of the only orchestra In
New York at the time. In John Adams
time Judge HOpkinson wrote Hail COlum
bia- and put it to Pfyles' tune. Up to that
time the music was known as The Presi-
dents March"
There are Of course many kinds Of recep-
lions at the White House. We arc thinking
now particularly Of those 70 which the public
are invited There are especial receptions
for the diplomatic representatives Of foreign
governments, officers Of the army and navy,
judges Of the supreme court, senator's and
members of congress. These affairs are very
brilliant. The diplomats attend decked out
In their court uniforms, some of which are
magniflcently emblazoned with gold lace.
The dapper japanese, the Chnaman, wear
ing his stiff. rich silks, the Turk in his red
turhan, are there observed and observing
These receptions exclusive as they are. take
Oh the greatest Importance III the eyes Of
society people. The presence Of 50 many
foreigners tends 10 reduce conversation to a
minimum Although the number of people
in attendance il limited, the mansion is gcner
ally crowded. The ladies' ure there, and the
ma .nificence of their toilets Is sOmething that
il would take eros, between Shakespeare
and Worth to describe
The presidents receptions are announced
through the newspapers When 1t is stated
that they are public no further invitation Is
necessary. All strangers at the capital are
at liberty 10 cali Etiquette prescribes no
particular dress Suu will s-e all colors, all
STYLES all degrees Of wear and tear. The
public reception is no resIecter of persons.
Children go. old men who can stand the strain
Of waiting are there, and our colored brethren
come also The hours are from to 10 pm.
but they lengthen out to IL and sometimes L.
At O'Clock. when tn. door keepers at the
window receive the word to admit the wait
Ing thrung, the White House and the grounds
present busy and exciting scene. The
curved carriage way, from gate 10 gate, is
covered with carriages and cabs, packed away
side by side, while continuous stream Of
other Gals and carriages rolls and rsttles III